Curt Cignetti Tops the List of College Football's 25 Most Interesting People of 2026

The 25 Most Interesting People in College Football

The Athletic's annual list of the 25 most interesting people in college football for 2026 is a who's who of the sport's most compelling figures, and the No. 1 spot belongs to the man who has become the face of college football's new era: Curt Cignetti. The Indiana head coach, who led the Hoosiers to an improbable national championship in 2025, tops a list that includes Lane Kiffin, Bill Belichick, Deion Sanders, and a mix of players, administrators, and influencers who are shaping the sport's future.

The list, compiled by The Athletic's national college football staff, is not a ranking of the most powerful or successful people in the sport. Instead, it is a celebration of the personalities, stories, and characters that make college football the most compelling sport in America. From coaches who have redefined the profession to players who have become cultural icons, the list reflects the breadth of the sport's appeal.

1. Curt Cignetti, Indiana

Cignetti's placement at No. 1 is the least surprising ranking on the list. The 64-year-old coach has become the most compelling figure in college football by doing the impossible: winning a national championship at Indiana. His journey — from a Division II assistant to a national championship-winning head coach — is the kind of story that defines the sport's appeal. Cignetti's no-nonsense personality, his willingness to speak his mind, and his ability to develop players at every level have made him a fan favorite and a media darling. The Athletic's profile describes him as 'the most interesting coach in the sport because he refuses to be interesting — he just wins.'

2. Lane Kiffin, LSU

Kiffin's placement at No. 2 reflects his status as the most polarizing figure in the sport. The LSU head coach has been a subject of fascination for two decades, from his brief tenure at Tennessee to his ill-fated USC stint to his redemption arc at Ole Miss and now his championship-or-bust season at LSU. Kiffin's transfer portal mastery — the Tigers have the No. 1-ranked transfer class in the country — has made him the most innovative roster builder in the sport, and his willingness to embrace the spotlight has made him a constant presence in the media cycle.

3. Bill Belichick, North Carolina

Belichick's placement at No. 3 is the most fascinating entry on the list. The six-time Super Bowl champion is the most accomplished coach in NFL history, and his transition to college football has been the most-watched story of the offseason. The Athletic's profile describes Belichick as 'a mystery wrapped in a hoodie' — a coach whose methods are as inscrutable as they are effective. North Carolina's season opener against Miami will be the most-watched game of Week 1, and Belichick's performance will be the subject of national analysis.

4. Deion Sanders, Colorado

Sanders at No. 4 is a reflection of his status as the most culturally significant figure in the sport. The Colorado head coach has been the subject of constant attention since his arrival in Boulder, and his 2026 season — the first with a roster fully composed of his recruits — will be the most important test of his coaching career. The Athletic's profile describes Sanders as 'the most magnetic personality in the sport' and notes that his ability to recruit and motivate players is unmatched, but his game management and roster construction remain open questions.

5. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza's placement at No. 5 is the most surprising entry in the top 10. The Indiana quarterback, who won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to the national championship, has become a cult figure in college football. His distinctive speaking style, his religious faith, and his humble background have made him a fan favorite. The Athletic's profile describes Mendoza as 'the most unlikely star in college football' and notes that his journey — from a lightly recruited high school prospect to a Heisman Trophy winner — is the kind of story that defines the sport's appeal.

6-10: The Rest of the Top 10

The top 10 is rounded out by Heather Dinich, ESPN's national college football reporter (No. 6), Arch Manning, Texas quarterback (No. 7), Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State wide receiver (No. 8), Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner (No. 9), and Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end and NIL pioneer (No. 10). Dinich's placement reflects her status as the most influential reporter in the sport, while Manning and Smith represent the new generation of superstar players. Sankey's inclusion reflects the SEC commissioner's outsized influence on the sport's governance, and Kelce's placement acknowledges his growing role in the NIL landscape.

The Full List: 11-25

The remaining 15 entries on the list include a mix of coaches, players, and administrators. Notable entries include Mario Cristobal, Miami head coach (No. 12), Jon Sumrall, Tulane head coach (No. 14), Malachi Toney, Miami wide receiver (No. 15), Kalen DeBoer, Alabama head coach (No. 17), LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina quarterback (No. 19), and Dave Doeren, NC State head coach (No. 22). The list also includes several non-coaching figures, including Jack Pyburn, LSU defensive end (No. 20), Barstool Sports' Dan 'Big Cat' Katz (No. 23), and Warde Manuel, Michigan athletic director (No. 25).

What This Means for CFB 27

In College Football 27, the 25 most interesting people list is reflected in the game's narrative system. The game's Road to Glory mode includes a media attention mechanic that tracks a player's national profile, and the most interesting people in the game — Cignetti, Kiffin, Belichick, Sanders — have the highest media attention ratings, which affects recruiting, NIL opportunities, and coach-player interactions. For Dynasty mode players, the most interesting coaches are the ones who generate the most media buzz, which can be a double-edged sword — high-profile coaches attract top recruits but also face higher expectations and more scrutiny. The game's narrative system generates stories based on the real-world controversies and personalities that define the list, creating a dynamic and immersive coaching experience.